Vale Bel Esprit

Former Blue Diamond winner and sire of Black Caviar dies.

Bel Esprit, Blue Diamond winner and sire of the immortal Black Caviar, has died.

Widden Stud announced late on Thursday afternoon that the son of Royal Academy had succumbed to the effects of old age. He was 26.

Bel Esprit won eight of 19 starts, including two Group 1s, and counted 28 Stakes winners among his progeny across a 19-season breeding career.

He retired to then-Eliza Park Stud in 2003, which then became Sun Stud and now Widden Victoria and Widden's Adam Henry said he was a much-loved member of the farm.

"Bel Esprit has left a real legacy that will extend well beyond his passing and it has been a privilege to have him in our care," Henry said.

The Blue Diamond success made it five-straight wins to start his career for Bel Esprit, who ran fifth in the Golden Slipper at his following start, but added another Group 1 win via the 2003 Doomben 10,000.

He also finished second in the Manikato Stakes, Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and Caulfield Guineas in the spring of his three-year-old season and was runner-up in the 2003 Newmarket Handicap.

He covered more than 2400 mares, producing the winners of around 3000 races, 25 of which were won by Black Caviar.

That legendary mare retired undefeated with 15 of her victories coming at the highest level.

She dominates his stats page on Racing And Sports, which also highlights the deeds of his two other Group 1 winners, Bel Sprinter and Bel Mer.

Below is a look at his highest-rated progeny on the Racing And Sports ratings system.

136 – Black Caviar
124 – Bel Sprinter
116 – Keen Array
116 – Tactical Advantage
116 – True Persuasion
115 – Bel Mer